Pakistani officials on Sunday hammered out a peace deal with a Taliban-linked group that could lead to the enforcement of elements of Islamic law in parts of the northwest, prompting militants in the blood-soaked Swat Valley to declare a 10-day cease-fire as a goodwill gesture.

[Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan] announced the militants had freed a Chinese engineer held captive for nearly six months as a positive gesture. Long Xiaowei — who was kidnapped in August — was freed Saturday, days before a planned visit to China by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari.

Khan also announced the 10-day cease-fire.

Chinese engineer Long Xiaowei makes a call home at the Chinese embassy in Islamabad after six months in captivity. (Photo: AP/Xinhua, Li Jingchen)